disingenuous

adjective

Definition of disingenuousnext
as in dishonest

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of disingenuous Anyone with a vague understanding of communism knows that these claims are disingenuous. — Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026 Plenty of sane people on both sides of the aisle have voiced their displeasure with biological men invading female spaces, so to paint this as a fringe right crusade is disingenuous. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026 Getting distracted by a late-stage bombshell would feel disingenuous at this point. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 1 July 2026 Whipple said that’s disingenuous. — Chance Swaim, Kansas City Star, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for disingenuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disingenuous
  1. dishonest
  2. deceitful
  3. untruthful
  4. contrived
  5. hypocritical
  6. unnatural
  7. devious
  8. assumed
Adjective
  • Davis said that witnesses were dishonest about his character throughout the trial, including FBI agents and police officers who testified for the prosecution.
    — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Jacobs is perhaps best known for her role as the environmental activist with an edge, Britta Perry, on Community (2009-2015) and the dishonest love addict Mickey Dobbs on Love (2016-2018).
    — Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of dishonest
Adjective
  • Bogus texts, mystery calls, deceitful emails all aimed at stealing your personal information and your money are relentless.
    — Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The mutual trust and goodwill that xenia sought to cultivate has been eroded by this one deceitful act, creating a world that is defined by this moral violation.
    — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 19 July 2026
Definition of deceitful
Adjective
  • However, subsequent video evidence led officials to claim that the officers involved had likely made untruthful statements about what happened.
    — Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026
  • In February, federal authorities launched an investigation into two federal immigration agents who appeared to have made untruthful statements under oath regarding a nonfatal shooting of an immigrant in Minneapolis in January.
    — Hallie Golden, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2026
Definition of untruthful
Adjective
  • An eventual big twist feels too trickily over-contrived to impress, or convince.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
  • There was nothing particularly novel about the show’s premise, but the scripts were refreshingly dense with jokes, prioritizing laughs over contrived drama or seasonlong relationship arcs.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of contrived
Adjective
  • There is something deeply hypocritical about discovering and using the language of women’s liberation only when your own status, reputation, or income is at stake.
    — Laura Jung, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026
  • That some people in these industries, including those who are well paid, would look at our economy and seek out other ways of doing things is neither hypocritical nor surprising.
    — Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of hypocritical
Adjective
  • When my husband comes home and stands in front of the refrigerator stuffed with bags of mulberry leaves, his face takes on an unnatural look.
    — Jonathan Flint, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Berry shunned the unnatural world whenever, and however possible.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of unnatural
Adjective
  • The cowardly, devious Turgeniev has assimilated to the comforts of the West —that alone is enough for Fyodor to detest him.
    — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
  • This week’s run of shows and movies include a grisly House of the Dragon finale, an exciting new horror from Jane Schoenbrun, a rom-com with a devious catch, and the return of Ted Lasso.
    — Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of devious
Adjective
  • Shortly after Hollander was identified as the assumed killer, the rest of his car was searched and police started to suspect him in another murder case with similar details.
    — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2026
  • In most cases, the entitlement is not fully restored until the assumed loan is paid off, refinanced or otherwise satisfied.
    — Sharon Wu, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of assumed

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disinformation
disingenuous
disinherit
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Cite this Entry

“Disingenuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disingenuous. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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